PHILIPPIANS 1:1-8 – “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

THEME OF THE DAY: TELL THEM SO. Study the introductions to most of the Apostle Paul’s New Testament letters. He is widely believed to have written thirteen: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Notice how often—and how quickly—he thanks God for the believers. Although he does not do so in every letter, he does in more than half. Here is one of the greatest Christians who ever lived offering heartfelt thanks for other believers. How encouraging it would be to receive a letter from Paul—addressed either to our church or to us personally—that begins by expressing his gratitude for our example, help, service, and love.

Somewhere along our walks with Jesus, our journey to heaven, another Christian has impacted and influenced us. It might even start with a believer leading us to Christ.  Without a doubt, we each had a Christian or Christians greatly help us in the Christian life. It may not have been in a formal discipleship context but as an example, or a dear Christian friend who met us in time of need.  Perhaps it was a wise saint who gave us advice and counsel.  Whatever the situation or circumstance, in some fashion, another believer has contributed positively in our walk with the Lord Jesus.

Now the application . . . have we told them so?  Like the Apostle Paul in eight of thirteen letters, he wrote?  Have we intentionally reached out to that brother or sister in the Lord with a hearty thank you to them?  That includes giving thanksgiving to the Lord for them!  Think about this for a moment.  How quick we are to say “thank you” to a person in a checkout counter at a grocery store, a server at a restaurant, teller at a bank, and the list goes on and on. What about our brothers and sisters in the Lord?

In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he identifies the characteristics or evidence of being filled with the Spirit of God. He wrote . . .

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-21).

One of the characteristics is the giving of thanks.  And that is not just around a dinner table in November or at the nightly family meal.  It is living in the spirit and proclamation of thanksgiving, and that extends to the spiritual blessings of other Christians.  Let’s not be slow or neglectful in telling other believers how thankful to God we are for them. It might the “shot” of encouragement they need for the day!

PRAYER: Father, may I learn to walk in the spirit of thanksgiving for all Your blessings, including other believers.

REFLECTION: In giving thanks to the Lord, let’s not forget those Christians who have been great help in our walks.